Stardust inquest hears fire deaths caused by smoke and heat

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Dublin District Coroner’s Court inquest heard that the 48 Stardust fire deaths were caused by inhalation of fire fumes, often with heat, on 17 January 2024; the report describes the pathological evidence as concluding that day.

The fire swept through the Artane nightclub in the early hours of 14 February 1981. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane told jurors that the evidence showed how many victims were identified through jewellery or clothing, and that the nightclub’s toxic environment caused rapid unconsciousness in most cases.

Pathologists reviewed postmortem evidence and gave causes of death for the victims. In the cases described, causes included inhalation of fire fumes, sometimes combined with heat, and complications from burns and smoke inhalation.

The coroner said the pathological evidence concerning all 48 deceased had concluded, and the inquest was due to continue on 22 January 2024.